Singer service information
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Most of the timing and tension information on this page can be used on most Singer models.
Timing needle bar height 15 class
Timing 200 seriesChecking the timing on your machine is easy because there are timing marks that show you where the machine must be set.
Remove the needle plate and bobbin case.Turn the hand wheel towards you until the needle bar is in the lowest position. You will see two marks on the needle bar with the top one being flush with the bottom of the bushing. If it is not loosen the needle bar screw and move it up or down to set the marks. Make sure you keep the needle bar straight (needle clamp screw should be straight to the right)
Next turn the hand wheel until the lower timing mark is flush with the bushing. At this point the hook tip should be just above the eye of the needle as shown.
If the hook tip and needle do not line up as shown, turn the machine on its back making sure the needle bar does not move. Loosen the two timing screws on the hook pulley (only loosen them ¼ turn). Move the hook to line it up with the needle. Tighten the screws and recheck the timing. The feed dogs should be in the down position when timing the machine. If the feed dogs are up when the timing is set as shown, the hook timing is out 180°.
Timing 300 series
Remove the needle plate and bobbin case.Turn the hand wheel towards you until the needle bar is in the lowest position. You will see two marks on the needle bar with the top one being flush with the bottom of the bushing. If it is not loosen the needle bar screw and move it up or down to set the marks. Make sure you keep the needle bar straight (needle clamp screw should be straight to the right)
Next turn the hand wheel until the lower timing mark is flush with the bushing. At this point the hook tip should be just above the eye of the needle as shown.
If the hook tip and needle do not line up as shown, turn the machine on its back making sure the needle bar does not move. Loosen the two timing screws on the hook pulley (only loosen them ¼ turn). Move the hook to line it up with the needle. Tighten the screws and recheck the timing.
Timing 600 seriesTo check the hook timing first you need to check the needle bar height. Bring the needle bar to its lowest position. You will see two timing marks on the needle bar.
If the upper timing mark is just visible under the bushing as shown the needle bar is at the right height. If not loosen the needle bar clamping screw and carefully move the needle bar up or down. Do not twist the needle bar sideways.
Timing 700 series
Timing 500 800 series
Timing 6000 series (drop-in)
Locate the timing marks on the needle bar. Insert a new needle into the needle clamp. Set the needle position to the center. Bring the needle to the lowest position.
With the needle bar in the lowest position one timing make should be visible. Slowly raise the needle bar until the mark is level with the bushing. At this point the hook tip and needle should meet.
If the hook and needle do not meet as shown and the needle bar height is right as per the timing marks the timing will need to be adjusted.
Turn the machine onto its back. Locate the hook drive shaft belt pulley. Loosen the two screws ½ turn each. Carefully turn the hook with your hand until the hook and needle meet.
Do not turn the hook too far and make sure the feed dogs are down when the needle is down. If the feed dogs are up when the needle is down the timing is 180° out. Retime the machine so the feed dogs are down when the needle is down.
Timing 6000 series (wind in place)Insert a new needle into the needle clamp. Set the needle position to the left. Bring the needle to the lowest position. Slowly bring the needle bar up until the hook and needle meet. The hook tip should be just below the middle of the scarf of the needle.
The needle should have come up 2.4mm to 2.7mm from its lowest position.
If the hook and needle do not meet as shown you will have to adjust the hook timing.
Turn the machine onto its back. Locate the hook drive shaft belt pulley. Loosen the two screws ½ turn each. Carefully turn the hook with your hand until the hook and needle meet. Tighten the screws and recheck the timing.
When the hook and needle are in position the timing marks on the feed lifting cam should line up as shown.
If the two feed timing marks do not line up when the hook timing is set you will have to adjust the feed timing.
Locate the two screws on the feed drive gear. Loosen the screws ½ turn each. Carefully turn the feed lifting cam to line up the two marks. Tighten the screws and recheck the feed timing. Be careful not to turn the feed lifting cam too far. To check this make sure the feed dogs are below plate level when the needle is down. If they are up rotate the feed lifting cam 180° so the feed dogs are below the top of the needle plate.
Tensions 800 series
The bobbin tension should stay constant but may have to be adjusted if the spring was bent or thread was caught under the spring. Check under the spring for thread or lint. Insert a full bobbin wound with medium weight, light color thread. You should feel some tension but not enough so you have to grip the thread hard to pull it. If the tension is too loose or too tight turn the adjusting screw ¼ turn at a time to set the tension.
The result you are looking for is when the knot forms in the center on the fabric.
Tensions 500 series
Loosen the screw on the top tension unit one turn. Remove the outer cover. Check between the tension discs for thread or lint.
Turn the adjusting nut ¼ turn at a time until the desired tension is achieved. Replace the cap at 4.5 and tighten the screw. This resets your top tension to a medium number.
The bobbin tension should stay constant but may have to be adjusted if the spring was bent or thread was caught under the spring. Check under the spring for thread or lint. Insert a full bobbin wound with medium weight, light color thread. You should feel some tension but not enough so you have to grip the thread hard to pull it. If the tension is too loose or too tight turn the adjusting screw ¼ turn at a time to set the tension.
The result you are looking for is when the knot forms in the center on the fabric.
Tensions 2000 seriesFrom the open top of the machine, locate the top tension unit. The normal top tension for your machine should be 3 - 4 on the tension dial. The bobbin tension should not require adjusting. Stitch out a test seam. The knot should meet in the center of the fabric.
If adjustment is required, loosen the nut on the tension unit and turn the adjusting screw ½ turn at a time and test stitch again. Continue until the right tension is achieved. Make sure the dial is set at normal after you turn the screw and before you test stitch.
Turning the adjusting screw clockwise will tighten the top tension (increase). Retighten the nut and replace the covers on the machine.